A LORRY driver was taken to hospital after his vehicle overturned, spilling part of its concrete load on to a busy junction.

Police and paramedics were alerted to the accident on the junction of the A470 and A487 at Cross Keys, a few miles from Dolgellau, shortly after 10am yesterday .

The main North-South route was blocked while the driver received attention.

It’s believed that the accident was caused by a burst tyre which forced the Volvo lorry to keel over.

A Wales Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman said the casualty, a man in his late 20s, was taken to Ysbyty Maelor, Wrexham , after suffering injuries to his neck and wrist.

A Daily Post reader said the lorry had turned off the A470 and was heading towards Machynlleth when it overturned on to its side.

He said: “He’s very lucky to escape with minor injuries. I saw him walking out of the ambulance. The main thing is that he’s alright at the end of the day.

“Luckily, most of the concrete has not spilt on to the road but on to a grass verge.”

“I’m not sure where the lorry was heading to with its load because they are carrying out a big road improvement scheme not very far from where the accident happened.”

Yesterday the lorry’s owner, Bryn Jones of Concrete Sarnau, Bala , said the driver had injured his wrist and his neck and had gone to the hospital to be checked out.

Mr Jones added: “The lorry was on its way to Tywyn when one of the tyres burst – the rear one on the passenger’s side. I was following the lorry and it overturned quite slowly. The concrete is still in the vehicle.”

Mr Jones, who said the lorry was carrying around 14 tonnes of concrete, added: “There’s nothing we could do. I’ve been in the business for over 20 years but this is the first time that one of our lories has overturned.”

Mr Jones and his staff yesterday used a crane to raise the lorry back on to the road.

Cross Foxes owner Dewi Gwynne said: “The lorry has smashed a council sign used to warn motorists of any road closures or flooding at Dyfi Bridge. It’s also smashed one of our signs.

“It’s lucky that there was nobody working on the strip of land outside when the lorry overturned. I’m glad that the driver is alright.”

A North Wales Police spokesman said the lorry had partially blocked the road and Gwynedd Highways staff were called to clean up the concrete.

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “Staff from the Highways and Municipal Services attended the scene. A sweeper vehicle was used to assist with the work of clearing the area.”

The A487 was closed for a time and motorists on the A470 suffered some delays.